Fence-machine.



No. 666,267. Patented uct. 23, |906.

6. w. s. B ELL. FENCE MACHINE.

(Application led Feb. 18, 1900.)

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N0. 660,267. Patented 061i. 23, |900.

' G. W. S. BELL.

FENCE MACHINE.

(Application ld Feb. 16, 1900.)

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UNITED STATES PATENT' OFFICE.

GEORGE W'. S. BELL, OF TALLULA, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO BELL 'da DAWSON, 'OF SAME PLACE.

FENCE-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION for-ming part `of Letters Patent No. 660,267, dated October 23, 1900.

Application filed February 16, 1900. Serial No. 5,500. (No model.) 'I

To all, whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. S. BELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Tallula, in the county of Menard and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fence-Machines, of which the following is such a full, clear, and exact description as will enable others skilled y in the'art to which it appertains to make and use my said invention.

My invention relates to fence-machines of that class which are employed to interweave with the horizontal strands of a fence vertical stay-wires placed at suitable distances apart to strengthen the fence and prevent displacement of the horizontal strands thereof.

In general terms 1ny invention embraces a main structure or frame maintained in a Vertical position with respect to the horizontal strands of the fence, movable in the longitudinal direction of the fence, and carrying twisting mechanism slidable vertically on said frame and adjustable relative to the horizontal strands of the fence.

The purposes of my invention are to provide a main frame so constructed and arranged that the frame may slide on the horizontal strands of the fence, to provide simple and effective'means to support the weight of the machine so as to maintain substantial parallelism of the longitudinal strands of the fence and prevent sagging thereof during the operation of twisting the vertical stay-wires, to provide effective means to prevent accidental transverse displacement of the longitudinal strands of the fence, to provide means for securing the frame in any desired position on the longitudinal strands of the fence, to provide means to facilitate the placing of the frame on Ihe longitudinal fence-wires and its removal therefrom, to provide means for holding one end of the vertical stay-wire'while the twist is being made, to provide a twisterframe of novel and improved form, to provide twisting mechanism of novel and improved construction, to provide a novel and improved means for supplying wire to the twister, and to provide simple and eective means for limiting the rotation of the twister.

With these ends in view my invention consists of the novel features of construction and combinations of parts shown in the annexed drawings, to which reference is `hereby made, and hereinafter particularly described, and pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure lis a perspective viewof the complete machine. Fig. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the twisterframe and the twisting mechanism supported thereon. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section through the twister mechanism on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical transverse section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is an enlarged horizontal transverse section through the main frame and connected parts on the line 5 5 of Fig. l. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detached perspective view of a part of one side rail and shows the lever which operates the clamping-slide in position on the side rail. The clamping-slide is omitted yfrom this view in order to more clearly show the underlying parts. Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspectiveview of part of the clamping device near the lower end of one of the side pieces, whichfserves to retain the machine in place on the longitudinal wires of the fence. Fig. 8 is an enlarged vertical section through the spool-frame and spool on the line 8 8 of Fig. 4.

Similar letters of reference designate like parts in all of the views.

The main frame is rectangular in form and consists of side pieces A, united near their extremities by cross pieces A'. The side pieces A are of rectangular cross-section and have in their fronts transverse notches a. lThe notches a correspond in number and position to the number and position of the longitudinal strands of wire in the fence, and when the machine is in position on the fence a single strand of wire lies in each pair of notches, as clearly shown in the drawings.

In one of the side pieces A is a longitudinal channel ct', in which the web of the T-bar A2 fits loosely. A bolt d2 passes transversely through the side piece A and the -bar A2, and thebarturnson thebolt. Transversenotches in the web of the bar A2 register with the transverse notches in the side piece A. A bolt a3, near the lower extremity of the bar A2, passes through the bar and through the side piece A and serves to secure the bar in the position shown in Fig. l. When the bar A2 is secured in the position above described, it

prevents accidental withdrawal of the longitudinal wires of the fence from the transverse notches in the side pieces A. When it is desired to move themachinc from the longitudinal wires of the fence, the bolt a3 is withdrawn and the bar A2 is turned on the bolt a2 to withdraw the web of the bar from the channel a', thereby leaving the notches u,

unobstructed, so that the wires may be easily withdrawn from the notches.

Brackets B are secured to one of the side pieces A. A gas-pipe B passes through holes in the brackets B and is detachably connected -with one of the brackets by a bolt l), passing transversely through the bracket and through the gas-pipe. The pipe B may be disconnected from the frame by removing the bolt b and withdrawing the pipe from the brackets B.

Box-shaped guides D are secured at suitable distances apart on one of the side rails A, and the clamp-slide D'is slidable in' the guides. A lever D2 has its fulcrum d on a link D3, which has a pivotal con nection d with the side piece A. One end ofthe lever D2 has a pivotal connection d2 with the slide D. In one edge ofthe slide D are transverse notches (Z3, spaced to register with the transverse notches a in the side piece A. The notches a. and d3 are alike, except that the notches a are longer than the notches d3. A plate D4, having at its lower end a transverse notch d4, is secured to the side piece A by rivets or other suitable means contiguous to the uppermost notch a. A plate D5 is secured to the slide D,contiguous to the uppermost notch cl3, and the upper end of the plate ent-ers the notch d" in the plate Dl. The plate D5 is drawn toward the plate D4 by pushing the free end of the lever D2 downward and is moved away from the plate D4 by pulling the lever D"3 upward.

Guard-plates A3, having downwardly-extending fingers a4, are suitably secured to the side pieceA in such position that the lingers cvextend nearly the full length of the notches, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 7. Each of the notches a on that side piece on which the slide D is mounted, except the uppermost notch, is provided with a guide-plate A3. The fingers at serve to prevent lateral displacement of the longitudinal fence-wires, which lie in the notches a and (Z3, when the main frame is in position on said fence-wires.

In placing the main frame ou the longitudinal fence-wires the lever D2 is raised, so as to move the slide D' downward to such extent as to bring the notches d3 in registry with that part of the notches a which is under the lower extremity of the linger a4. The wires are then placed in both notches, and the lever D2 is pushed downward, so as to move the slide D upward and cause the slide to 'draw the wires upward in the notches a under the guard-plates A3 and cramp them in the angle of the plates, thereby securing the frame so as to prevent longitudinal movement of the frame on the wires. Forgreater security against: longitudinal movement of the frame on the fencewires I provide one of the not-ches a, near the lower extremity of the side piece A, with a crimping-plate A",

secured to the side piece A opposite to the plate A3 in such position that the lower edge of the plate A4 extends somewhat below the upper end of the notch a, and when the frame is in position on the wire the plate A4 crimps "that part of the wire on which it rests to such extent as to prevent the plate from slipping on the wire.

The twister mechanism is carried on an arch-shaped frame E, having a handle E', which may be grasped by the operator to support the outer end of the frame. A tubular sleeve E2 is provided with atrunnion e, mounted to turn in suitable bearings on brackets e on the frame E. The sleeve E2 lits around and is slidable on the pipe A brace-handle E3 has at one extremity a stud-pin e2, which turns in a suitable hole e3 in the end of the handle E'. The other extremity oli the bracedlandle is secured to a shaft E4, which turns in bearings e4 on the frame E. A tubular shaft turns in a suitable bearing in an extension e5 ot' the frame E. Parallel' jaws e project laterally from the extension ein a line parallel to a continuation of the axial line of the shaft E4. A cog-wheel EG is secured to one extremityof the shaft E5, and a collar El, secured at lthe other extremity of said shaft, serves to prevent longitudinal movement ot' the shaft in its bearing. The shaft E5 has a longitudinal slit el, which registers with the opening between the jaws e when the moving parts of the twister occupy the relative positions shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4. A cog-wheel E8 is secured to and turns with the shaft E4 and meshes with and drives the cog-wheel J6. A notched wheel E turns on a pin e9 on a standard es on the frame E. On the wheel E9 are oppositely-extending lugs 610, with which a linger e11 on the brace-handle E3 engages to limit the rotation of the brace-handle, as hereinafter explained. A toothed wheel E12, secured on the shaft E, engages with and drives the notched wheel E9. The wheel E has six equidistant notches so placed that each revolution of the toothed wheel will cause the notched wheel to make one-sixth of a revolution. Hence three complete revolutions of the toothed wheel will move the notched wheel one-half of a revolution.

Starting with the parts of the mechanism in the relative positions shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, if the brace-handle Es be turned three times around in the direction indicated by the arrow X the linger e will at the end of the third revolution 'strike against that lug e10 which in the drawings, Fig. 4, appears as the lower lug and will stop further rotation of the brace-handle in that direction, and the brace-handle may thon be turned three times around in the opposite direction, again stop- IOO ping with the parts in the positions shown in turns to the right and left alternately uniform windings of the threeturns each of the stay-wire around the. longitudinal wires of the fence may be madewithout special care` or watchfulness on the part of the operator,.

thus enabling an unskilled operator` to produce fence of superior quality. In order to place `the twisting device on the longitudinal fence-wires in position to twist thestay-Wires thereon, the slot c7 in the shaft E5kmust be in registry with the opening between the forks e6, and this occurs only when the finger e11 is against or contiguous to one of the lugs e111. In the practical use of the machine the striking of the finger @11 against the lugs @10 apprises the operator that three complete turns have been made and that the slot c7 is in juxtaposition to the fork e6 and that the twister may be moved into position lto twist the next stay-wire.

A spool-holder frame E13 on the Wheel E6 is preferably integral therewith. The'spool E14 is tubular and has at one end a spindle 612, which turns in suitable bearings in the frame E13. A spring 913 tits in the bore of the spool. Apin @11 is slidablein the bore of the spool, and the spring @13 acts against the lower end of the pin to keep it in its bearing in 'the frame E13. Vhen it is desired to remove the spool, it is only necessary to push the pin @14 downward to withdraw it from its bearing in the frame E13 when the spool may be easily removed.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-` l. In a fence-machine, the combination of a main frame having transversely-notched side pieces, one of said side pieces having a longitudinal channel, and a notched T-bar pivotally7 connected with said last-named side piece and fitting in the channel therein, as set forth.

2. In a fence-machine, the combination of a main frame having transversely-notched side pieces, guides secured to'one of said side pieces, guard-plates secured to said lastnamed side piece contiguous to the notches therein, a notched slide slidable in said guides, and means for reciprocating said slide, as set forth. n

3. In a fence-machine, the combination of a main frame having transversely-notched side pieces, guard-plates on one of said side side piece and having notches contiguous to said guard-plates, and a longitudinal bar havpieces, a slide slidablc on said last-named.

ing a hinge connection with one ofl said side .l

pieces, as set forth.

4. In a fence-machine, the combination of a main frame, a longitudinal bar detachably j connected with the main frame, and atwisterframe slidable on said bar, as set forth.

5. In a fence-machine, the combination of an arch-shaped twister-frame having la projecting handle, aj brace-handle mounted tok j turn within the arch 'of said twister-frame, and twisting devices operated bysaid bracehandle, as set forth. n

6. In a fence-machine, the combination of a twister-frame, a brace-handle mounted to turn on said twister-frame and provided with a stop, a toothed wheel turning with saidvv f brace-handle, twisting mechanism actuated by said brace-handle, and a notched wheel intermeshin g with said toothed wheel and proi vided with lugs adapted to engage with lthe stop on said brace-handle, as set forth.

7. In a fence-machine, the combination of a twister-frame, a rotatable brace-handle provided with a stop, a toothed wheel and al cogwheel turning with said brace-handle, jaws on the twister-frame, a slotted tubular shaft turning in a bearing on the twister-frame, a cog-pinion on said tu bular shaftintermeshing with the cog-wheel on the brace-handle, v y 'j IOO plate on said frame, and a notched slide slidable on the main frame in juxtaposition to said guard-plate, as set forth.

l0. vIn a fence-machine, the combination of a notched side piece, a clamp-plate secured to said side piece contiguous to the notches thereinand a notched slide slidable on said side piece and coperative with the clampplate thereon, as set forth.'

1l. In a fence-machine, the combination of a notched side piece,a link pivotally connected with said side piece, a lever pivotally connected with said link, and a notched slide pivotally connected with said lever, as set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name, at Tallula, Illinois, this 9th day of November, 1899.'

GEORGE W. S. BELL.

l/Vitnesses:

N. L. RANDALL, H. C. BENNEY.

IIO 

